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| 1,783 pieces of raw ivory tusks were seized by the AVA. Photo: AVA/Singapore |
SINGAPORE — The shipment from Kenya was declared as tea leaves, but upon closer inspection, it was found to contain about 3.7 tonnes of illegal ivory, making it the second largest seizure of illegal ivory by the local authorities since 2002.
The seized shipment --- which also included four pieces of rhinoceros horns and 22 pieces of canine teeth, believed to be from -- is estimated to be worth S$8 million.
The goods were shipped in two 20-footer containers from the African country and were transiting through Singapore for Vietnam, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and Singapore Customs said in a joint media release today (May 19).
Upon inspecting the containers, the AVA uncovered 1,783 pieces of raw ivory tusks, whole and cut, concealed among bags of tea dust; as well as the rhinoceros horns and canine teeth. Further investigations into the shipment, which was seized last week, are underway. Read More
Source: todayonline.com
